(Crossville, TN) This 8 person round robin event was one of the strongest championships ever held with the average rating of participants at 2455. Prizes: $1,000-$500-$300. The winner of the tournament qualifies for the 2009 World Junior Championship and the 2010 U.S. Closed Championship. The U.S. Chess Federation national chess championship was held July 12-17 at the Ramada Conference Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Event organizer was Alex Betanelli.

This tournament was organized and sponsored by United States Chess Federation, Vaja International Chess Academy, Wisconsin Chess Blog, and Wisconsin Chess Academy. Many thanks to Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Association, Internet Chess Club and the Milwaukee Brewers for their contributions. Thanks to the chief arbiter Frank Berry.

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The United States Chess Federation (USCF), founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee. USCF is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with over 80,000 members. For additional information on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.